Coin operated typewriter control apparatus



Sept. 5, 1944.

J. B. GRAHAM GOIN OPERATED TYPEWRITER CONTROL APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet lFiled Aug. l, 1941 INVENTOR. 'I cfewef/za/zz v ATTORNEY.

Jy a. GRAHAM 2,357,324

COIN OPERATED TYPEWRITER1CONTR0L APPARTUS Sept. 5, 1944.

Filed Aug. (1v, 1941' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VE NTOR.

@.BQ/y my: 487 BY ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 5, 1944 GOIN OPERATED TYPEWRITER- CONTROL APPARATUS JesseB. Graham, San Diego, Calif., assignor of one-half to R. A. Gay, SanDiego, Calif.y

Application August 1, 1941,. Serial No. 405,009

7 Claims. (Cl. 194-1) Second, to provide an apparatus of this classwhich is not easily tampered with or jammed for using the typewriterwithout paying therefor;

Third, to provide an apparatus of this clas which is readily and easilyadjustable for limiting the use of typewriters over various periods oftime;

Fourth, to provide an apparatus of this class which is very simple toinstall, service and operate;

Fifth, to provide an apparatus of this class which is wholly positionedbeneath the typewriter in the table on which said typewriter rests;

Sixth, to provide an apparatus of this class which is arranged for usein connection with conventional typewriters without alteration ormodification thereof;

Seventh, to provide a novel coin operatedv typewriter control apparatusof this class; and

Eighth, to provide an apparatus of this class which is very simple andeconomical of construction, efficient in its action, durable and whichwill not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in View as will appear hereinafter, myinvention consists of certain novel features of construction,combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafterdescribed in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims,reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the charactersof reference thereon which form a part of this application in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan sectional view Fig.4 is a fragmentarysectional view taken from the. line 4-4 of Fig.` 3; Fig. 5 is asectional view taken from the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 6 is asectional view taken from the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 showing details of thetiming mechanism of my coin operated typewriter control apparatus.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portionsthroughout the several viewsk ofthe drawings:

yThe table top I, tabletop side members 2 and 3, Fig. 3, table bottommember 4, table top lock 5, mechanism casing 6, mechanism supportingplate 1, cam supporting arm 8, Fig- 3, cam member 9, cam operated latchI0, trip lever II, typewriter control levers I2 and I3, lever lockmember I4, coin slide engaging member I5, retaining lever I6, springsIl, I0, I9, 20, 2| and 22, coin receiver assembly 23, coin receiverslide 24 and the timing mechanism 25 constitute the principal parts andportions of my coin operated typewriter control apparatus.

The table top I is a flat plate-like member having a substantially flathorizontal upper surface Ia on which a typewriter, as indicated by dashlines A is positioned. This typewriter A is secured on the table top Iby means of the bolts Ib, as shown best in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Thistable top lat its one side edge is provided with a hinge Ic whichmaintains the table top I in hinged connected relation with the tableside member 3,

The opposite side edge of the tabletop l is connected with the table topside member 2 by means of the table top lock 5. This lock 5 is aconventional tumbler lock and is provided with a shiftable arm 5a whichengages a slotted portion 2a in a metal plate 2b secured in connectionwith the table top side member 2, all as shown best in Fig. 3 of thedrawings.

Connected with the table' top side members 2 and 3 in opposed relationto the table top I is the table bottom member 4 forming an enclosedcasing in which the mechanism casing 6 is positioned. This mechanismcasing 6 isa rectangular box-like structure in which the mechanismsupporting plate 1 is enclosed. As shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, thetop portion 6a, of the mechanism casing 6 isprovided with a slottedportion 6b therein through which the typewriter control lever I2extends.

The mechanism supporting plate l is a flat member preferably made ofsheet metal or the like and this mechanism supporting platel 'I retainsthe principal operating mechanism of my coin operated typewritervcontrol apparatus.

which the cam supporting arm 8 is rigidly` secured by means of thecollar 25h and set screws 25o. Secured to the shaft 25a is the inner endof a coiled plate spring 25d which is similar to the main spring of aconventional clockworks and similarly supported. This main spring 25dCil is arranged to exert force on the shaft a on which is secured a discclutch 25e.v This disc` clutch 25e is .frictionally engaged by the mainoperating gear 25j which is freely revoluble on the shaft 25a. mesheswith a pinion 25g which is in rigid connection with the gear 2571, whichmeshes with the pinion 257 which is rigidly connected with the gear 25k.This gear 25k meshes with the pinion 25m in rigid connected relationwith the gear 25u and this gear 25u meshes with a pinion 25p shown bydash lines in Fig. 6 of the drawings. This pinion 25p operates anescapement wheel 25g which is provided with escapement teeth 251, allasshown best in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The teeth 251' are engaged bytheescapement pin 253 which cooperates with the semicircular in crosssection portion ;25t of the shaft 25uof the flywheel 25o. This flywheel25u is operated in onedirection by the hairspring 25w. The pin 25:12 isarranged to limit the movement of the flywheel 2512 in one direction.The shaft 25a1of the timing mechanism 25 extends upwardly through themechanism supporting plate 1- on which the cam supporting'arm 8 isrigidly mounted, as hereinbefore described. This cam supporting arm 8,as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, extends a short distance in onedirection from the shaft 25a, to the end portion 8a of said camsupporting arm 8. In connection with the cam supporting arm 8 near theend portion 8a thereof is the tension spring I'I which is mounted at itsone end on the pin 8b rigidly connected to Vthe cam supporting arm '8.The opposite end of this spring I 'I is rigidly connected withl themechanism supporting plateA 'I by means of the pin I'Ia. Secured on thecam supporting arm8 near the opposite .end thereof from the end portion8a is the cam member 9. This cam member 9 is a circulardisc-shapedmember, preferably made of metal and is eccentricallymounted'on the cam supporting arrnV 8 by means of the bolt 9a. As shownin Fig. 5 of the drawings, this bolt 9a is provided with a sleeve' 9bwhich extends some distance above the cam member 9 and is engageablewith the coin receiving slide 24, as shown by dash lines in Figs. l and5 of the drawings. Alivotally mounted on the. mechanism support ingplate 'I by means of the pin Illa is the cam operated latch IU. Ihis camoperated latch Ill is provided with an angularly extending portion IDDwhich is arranged in the path of the cam member 9, as indicated 'by dashlines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. provided with a notch portion Ic whichis arranged to retain the pin IIa of the trip lever II. This camoperated latch I0 is provided with an upwardly extending pin Id withwhich is connected one end of the spring I8. This spring I8 is a tensionspring and the opposite end thereof from the pin-l0d is secured to thepin I8a` This main operating gear 251 This cam operated latch I8 isdrawings.

tension of the spring I8 tends to force the cam operated latch Il! intoengagement with the pin IIa of the trip lever II, as shown best in Fig.1 of the drawings.

The trip lever II is pivotally mounted on the mechanism supporting plate'I by means of the pin IIb. Connected with this trip lever II is a pinIIc on which one end of the tension spring I9 is connected. The oppositeend of the tension spring I9 is connected with a pin I9a which extendsupwardly from the mechanism supporting plate 1, as shown best in Figs. 1and 3 of the As shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the trip lever 1 isprovided with an offset portion IId which is arranged to pass over theupper side of the retaining lever I6. It will be "further noted that theretaining lever IBis provided with an offset portion I6a which isarranged to pass over the lever lock member I4 which is positionedagainst the upper side of the mechanism supporting plate 1, all as shownbest in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

The typewriter control lever I2 is pivotally mounted on a bracket I2awhich is secured on the upper side of the mechanism casing 6, as shownbest in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The lower end of this typewritercontrol lever I2 extends through the slotted opening 'Ia inv writercontrol lever I2 is provided with an angularlydisposed edge portion I2bwhich engages an outwardly extending angular portion I3a of thetypewriter control lever I3. This typewriter control lever I3 ispivotally mounted on a pin I3bv in connection with a bracket I3c whichis secured on the upper side of the tabletop I, all as shown best inFigs. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

As shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the typewriter control lever I2extends through a slotted portion Id in the table top I and that thebracket I 3d is `mounted at one side thereof. Enclosing the bracket |30and the lower portion of the typewriter control lever I3 is a box-likecasing I3d. This casing I3d is provided with a slotted opening in itsupper side designated I3e through which the'typewriter control lever I3extends. The upper end portion I3 f of the typewriter control lever I3engages the typewriter key control bar B of the typewriter, as shown bydash lines A in Fig. 3 of the drawings. This typewriter key control barB is substantially L-shaped in cross section and is arranged to engagethe notch portion C of the typewriter key lever C for locking thetypewriter keys in certain position for rendering the typewriterinoperative.A

The lever lock member I4 is pivotally mounted on the` pin |411l inconnection with the mechanism supporting plate 'I and is pivotallymounted overthe slotted portion 'la in the mechanism supporting plate 'Ias shown best in Fig; 1 of the drawings. This lever lock member I4 isprovided with a recess portion I4b which is arranged to engage thetypewriter control lever I2 for locking the same in the dash lineposition D, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This leverlock'member I4 is provided with an upwardly extending pin I4c with whichis connected the tension spring 2I at its one end. The opposite end Vof.this spring 2I is'connected to a pin 2Ia which extends upwardly fromthe mechanism supportingplate 1.

In opposed relation to the spring 2I is the tension spring 20, one endof which is connected with the pin I4c and the opposite end of which isconnected with the pin I5a of the coin slide engaging member I5. Thiscoin slide engaging member I5 is pivotally mounted on the pin I5b inconnection with the mechanism supporting plate 'I. This coin slideengaging member I5 is angular in .cross section, as shown in Fig. 5 ofthe drawings and is arranged to be engaged by the coin receiver slide 24as indicated by dash lines in Fig. 5 of the drawings. .This coin slideengaging member I5 is engageable with the retaining lever I6 forshifting the same into the dash line position, as shown in Fig. 1 of thedrawings for retaining the typewriter control lever I2 in lockedposition until line position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Thisretaining lever I6 is pivotally mounted on a pin IBC which is rigidlyconnectedto the mechanism supporting plate 1. The end portion Ib of theretaining lever I6 is engageable with the typewriter control lever I2near the lower end thereof and the opposite end I6d of this retaininglever I6 is on the same plane as and engageable with the coin slideengaging member I5.

This coin engaging member I5 is maintained in engagement with the pinI5c by means of the spring 20. This pin I5c is connected with themechanism supporting platev 'I and provides a stop for the coin slideengaging member I5.

As shown in Fig, 3 of the drawings7 the typewriter control lever I 2 isconnected with the tension spring 22. This tension spring 22 is securedto a pin 22a which extends from the lower side of the top portion 6a ofthe mechanism casing 6. This tension spring 22 tends to force the lowerend of the typewriter control lever I2 away from the lever lock memberI4.

The coin receiver 23 is a conventional coin receiver and selectingdevice provided with a coin receiver slide 24 which is of thereciprocally mounted type having a coin conveying portion 24a therein,as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This' coin receiver 23 is alsoprovided with a.selecting magnet 23a for use in detecting spurious coinsof metal subject to magnetic attraction. The outer end portion 24h ofthecoin receiver slide 24 forms a handle for the manual reciprocaloperation thereof when a coin is positioned in the conveyor portion 24a,all as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This coin receiver 23 isprovided with a flange 23h which is secured to the table top side member2, all as shown best in Fig. l of the drawings. As indicated by dashlines in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the coin receiver slide 24 is arrangedto engage the coin slide engaging member I5 and the bolt 9a for shiftingthe cam supporting arm 8, all asindicated by dash lines in Figs. 1 and 5of the drawings.

The operation of my coin operated typewriter control apparatus issubstantially as follows:

the coin receiver slide 24 is returned to the solid4 When a persondesires to use and operate `the y typewriter, as shown by dash lines Ain Fig. 3 of the drawings, he may proceed as follows:

A proper coin must -be inserted in the conveyor portion 24a of the. coinreceiver slide 24. Then the coin receiver slide 24 is pressed inwardlyto the limit of its travel, as indicated by dash lines E in Fig. 1 ofthe drawings. The coin positioned in the conveyor portion 24a isejected` from the coin receiver 23.and falls into the innerside of thetable on the table bottom member 4. As the coin receiver slide 24 passesinwardly to the dash line'position E, it engages thev coin slideengaging member I5 and pivots the same on the pin I5b to the dash lineposition, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This co-in slide engagingmember I5 forces the retaining lever I6 into the dash line position, asshown in Fig, 1 of A the drawings maintaining the lower end of thetypewriter control member I2 in the dash line position D which maintainsthe typewriter key control bar B in the notch portion C of thetypewriterkey lever C, all as shown best in Figs.' l and 3 of thedrawings. The coin receiver slide 24 when passing inwardly to the dashline position E also engages the sleeve 9b of the bolt 9a and forces thecam supporing arm 8 to the dash line position F. The end of the camsupporting arm 8 engages the trip lever II and forces it to the dashline position G whereby the pin Il a is engaged by the notch portionIIJc of the cam operated latch I maintaining the trip lever II in thesolid line position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. When the camsupporting arm 8 is shifted to the dash line position F, the shaft 25aof the timing mechanism 25 is revolved contracting the plate coil spring25d and creating a tension thereon which tends to force the shaft 25a torevolve in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 1 of thedrawings. The spring tension imparted to the shaft 25a by the spring 25dcauses the clutch 25e to slowly revolve the gear 25j. The chain of gears25h, 25k, 25u and 25q, as shown in Fig. 6 ofthe drawings are operated bythe mainoperating gear 25]e as hereinbefore described. The teeth 251 ofthe escapement 'gear 25o are engaged by the escapement pin 25s and thesemi-circular in cross section portion 25t whereby the cam supportingarm 8 is controlled for slow pivotal movement about the axis of theshaft 25a. j

It will be here noted .that I prefer to have approximately .30 minutesof time elapse between the passage of the cam supporting arm.8 from thedash line position F to the dash line position H, as shown in Fig. l ofthe drawings. However, this time maybe varied by eccentrically shiftingthe cam 9 on the bolt 9a so that the cam `9 engages the cam operatedlatch III with a shorter or a longer stroke of the-cam supporting arm 8about the axis of the shaft 25a.

It will be here noted that the clutch 25e is` I revolubly shiftablerelatively with the main operating gear 25Jc but maintains sufcientfrictional engagement with the main operating gear 25f to operate theessential clockworks and resist the spring tension thereon o-f thesprings 25dand I'I, as shown in Figs; 1, 2 and 6 of the drawings. Theplate coil spring 25d operates the cam supporting arm 8 under normalconditions. However, I have-provided the tension spring II in itsconnected relation with the cam supporting arm 8 for cooperativerelation with the spring 25d and the tension off the spring I'I isnecessary when the cam 9 engages the end portion I 0b off the camoperated latch I0, the tension of the spring 25d being insufcient tooperate the cam 9 when shifting the cam operated latch I0 to the dashline position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. l l

It will be here noted that when the coin receiver slide 24 is returnedto the solid line position by the spring 24o in connection therewith, asshown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the retaining lever I6 is released bythe coin slide engaging member I permitting the typewriter control leverI2 to shift to the solid line position, as shown in Fig. 3 of thedrawings, whereby the typewriter key control bar B is released from thetypewriter key levers C permitting the normal operation of thetypewriter.

When the cam 9 engages the cam operated latch Il) and shifts the same tothe dash line position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the pin I Iaof the trip lever I I is released from the notch IIJc of the camoperated latch I0 and the trip lever II is forced into the dash lineposition J by the spring I9, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings.When this trip lever II is forced into the dash line position J, the-endportion IIe v thereof engages the lower end of the typewriter controllever I2 forcing the same into the dash line position D into the recessI4b of the lever lock member I4 and shifting the typewriter Vkey controllever I3 into the dash line position, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawingscarrying with it the typewriter key control bar B and forcing thetypewriter key control bar B into the notches C of the typewriter keylever C rendering the typewriter inoperative until another coin isinserted into the coin receiver 23, as hereinbefore described. It willbe noted that when the coin slide engaging member I5 is forced to thedash line position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the tension ofthe spring 2U forces the lever lock member I4 into the dash lineposition K, all as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings. When this leverlock member I4 is shifted to the dash line position K, the typewritercontrol lever I2 is released from the recess portion I 4b of the leverlock member I4 and the typewriter control lever I2 follows the endportion IBb of the retaining lever I6 when the retaining lever I6 isreleased by the coin slide engaging member I5 as the coin receiver slide24 passes backwardly into the solid line position, as shown in Fig. l ofthe drawings.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combinationand arrangement of parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited tothis particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire toinclude in the scope of my invention the construction, combination andarrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a coin operated typewriter control apparatus of the classdescribed, the combination of a reciprocally mounted coin receivingslide, a pivotally mounted arm having cam means shiftably mounted inconnection therewith near the end thereof and in the path of said coinreceiving slide at its one end arranged to shift said arm with theinward movement of said coin receiving slide, a shaft connected with andforming the axis of said arm, escapement timing mechanism in connectionwith said shaft and operable therewith and spring means in connectionwith and controlled by said escapement timing mechanism arranged toslowly shift said arm backwardly in predetermined time, said cam meansincluding means for shifting the cam member on said arm.

2. In a coin operated typewriter control apparatus of the classdescribed, the combination of a reciprocally mounted coin receivingslide, a pivotally mounted arm having cam means shiftably mounted inconnection therewith near the end thereof and in the path of said coinreceiving slide at its one end arranged to shift said arm with theinward movement of said coin receiving slide, a shaft connected with andforming the axis of said arm, escapement timing mechanism in connectionwith said shaft and operable therewith and spring means in connectionwith and controlled by said escapement timing mechanism arranged toslowly shift said arm backwardly in predetermined time, a pivotallymounted cam operated latch extending across the path of said cam meansand operate thereby and provided with a notch portion therein, and apivotally mounted trip lever angularly disposed to said cam operatedlatch and provided with an extending portion engageable with said notchportion.

3. In a coin operated typewriter control apparatus of the classdescribed, the combination of a reciprocally mounted coin receivingslide, a pivotally mounted arm having cam means shiftably mounted inconnection therewith near the end thereof and in the path of said coinreceiving slide at its one end arranged to shift said arm with theinward movement of said coin receiving slide, a shaft connected with andforming the axis of said arm, escapement timing mechanism in connectionwith said shaft and operable therewith and spring means in connectionwith and controlled by said escapement timing mechanism arranged toslowly shift said arm backwardly in predetermined time, a pivotallymounted cam operated latch extending across the path of said cam meansand operable thereby and provided with a notch portion therein, apivotally mounted trip lever angularly disposed to said cam operatedlatch and provided with an extending portion engageable with said notchportion, and a spring in connection with said cam operated latch tendingto force said notch portion over said extending portion of said triplever.

4. In a coin operated typewriter control appa- Vratus of the classdescribed, the combination of a reciprocally mounted coin receivingslide, a pivotally mounted arm having cam means shiftably mounted inconnection therewith near the end thereof vand in the path of said coinreceiving slide at its one end arranged to shift said arm with theinward movement of said coin receiving slide, a shaft connected with andforming the axis of said arm, escapement timing mechanism inconnectionwith said shaft and operable therewith and spring means inconnection with and controlled by said escapement timing mechanismarranged to slowly shift said arm backwardly in predetermined time, apivotally mounted cam operated latch extending across the path of saidcam means and operable thereby and provided with a notch portiontherein, a pivotally mounted trip lever angularly disposed to said camoperated latch and provided with an extending portion engageable withsaid notch portion, a spring in connection with said cam operated latchtending to force said notch portion over said extending portion of saidtrip lever, and spring means tending to force said trip lever intransverse opposition to the notch portion of said cam operated latch.

5; In a coin operated typewriter control apparatus of the classdescribed, the combination of a reciprocally mounted coin receivingslide, a, pivotally mounted arm having cam means shiftably mounted inconnection therewith near the end thereof and in the path of said coinreceiving slide at its one end, a shaft connected with and forming theaxis of said arm, escapement timing mechanism in connection with saidshaft and spring means in connection with and controlled by saidescapement timing mechanism arranged to slowly shift said arm, apivotally mounted cam operated latch extending across the path of saidcam means and operable thereby and provided with a notch portiontherein, a pivotally mounted trip lever angularly disposed to said camoperated latch and provided with an extending portion engageable withsaid notch portion, a spring in connection with said cam operated latchtending to force said notch portion over said extending portion of saidtrip lever, spring means tending to force said trip lever in transverseopposition to the notch portion of said cam operated latch, and apivotally mounted typewriter control lever disposed at a right angle tosaid trip lever and engageable therewith near one end of said typewritercontrol lever.

6. In a coin operated typewriter control apparatus of the classdescribed, the combination of a reciprocally mounted coin receivingslide, a

pivotally mounted arm having cam means shiftably mounted in connectiontherewith near the end thereof and in the path of said coin receivingslide at its one end, a shaft connected with and forming the axis ofsaid arm, escapement timing mechanism in connection with said shaft andspring means in connection with and controlled by said escapement timingmechanism arranged to slowly shift said arm, a pivotally mounted camoperated latch extending across the path of said cam means and operablethereby and provided with a notch portion therein, a pivotally mountedtrip lever angularly disposed to said cam operated latch and providedwith an extending portion engageable with said notch portion, a springin connection with said cam operated latch tending to force said notchportion over said extending portion of said trip lever, spring meanstending to force said trip lever in transverse opposition to the notchportion of said cam operated latch, a pivotally mounted typewritercontrol lever disposed at a right angle to said trip lever andengageable therewith near one end of said typewriter control lever, anda typewriter table top for supporting a typewriter thereon provided withan opening through which said typewriter control lever extends.

7. In a coin operated typewriter control apparatus of the classdescribed, the combination of a reciprocally mounted coin receivingslide, a pivotally mounted arm having cam means shiftably mounted inconnection therewith near the end thereof and in the path of said coinreceiving slide at its one end, a shaft connected with and forming theaxis of said arm, escapement timing mechanism in connection with saidshaft and spring means in connection with and controlled by saidescapement timing mechanism arranged to slowly shift said arm, apivotally mounted cam operated latch extending across the path of saidcam means and operable thereby and provided with a notch portiontherein, a pivotally mounted trip lever angularly disposed to said camoperated latch and provided with an extending portion engageable withsaid notch portion, a spring in connection with said cam operated latchtending to force said notch portion over said extending portion of saidtrip lever, spring means tending to force said trip leverin transverseopposition to the notch portion of said cam operated latch, a pivotallymounted typewriter control lever disposed at a right angle to said triplever and engageable therewith near one end of said typewriter controllever, a typewriter table top for supporting a typewriter thereonprovided with an opening through which said typewriter control leverextends, and a lever lock member in opposed relation to said trip leverprovided with a recess portion arranged to receive said typewritercontrol lever.

JESSE B. GRAHAM.

